Nonentangling spring washer



P 1933- E. D. COWLIN 1,927,975

NONENTANGLING SPRING WASHER Filed March 28, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 {F -Hi l V/ 4 8 6 F/aj rroemsys p 1933- E. D. COWLINI 1,927,975

NONENTANGLING SPRING WASHER Filed March 28, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 faaewf 0. Coh/u/v 4rrae/vexs Patented Sept. 26, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE NONENTANGLING SPRING WASHER Ohio Application March 28, 1932. Serial No. 601,654

19 Claims.

The present application is a continuation in part of my co-pending application for processes of forming non-entangling spring washers, Serial No. 543,151, flled June 9, 1931, which resulted in Letters Patent No. 1,856,806, granted May 3, 1932.

My invention relates to non-entangling spring lock washers each comprising a convolution of generally helical formation. More particularly, my invention relates to a washer which will not entangle in ordinary handling and which is nevertheless of such simple form that it can be made economically. In practice, ordinary handling involves the bringing together of great numbers of washers in kegs or other containers for shipment from the washer manufacturer to the user and the obtaining of the washers from the containers for actual use. The washer has a uniform cross-section at both ends, and preferably throughout whereby it 'may be made from the usual stock of keystone cross-section coiled, as is the common practice, into a washer body of rectangular cross-section. Essentially, my invention consists in providing simply formed ends on each washer which are so related to and spaced from each other as to prevent entangling with other similar washers while providing a washer which has substantially the same locking capacity of the usual spring lock washer. In the preferred form of washer made according to my invention, the washer end surfaces are somewhat spaced from each other and slightly overlap. In

other forms of washer made according to my invention, the washer ends are spaced more from each other and overlapped to a correspondingly greater extent, or positive ends are provided with or without overlapping of the washer ends in the finished product.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail a few of the various forms in which my invention may be embodied.

In said annexed drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of washer stock wound into a helix having material for three washers,.

Figure 2 is a side view of the assembly shown in Figure 1;

v Figure 3 is a side view of a washer cut from the assembly shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a plan of the washer shown in 0 Fi e 3;

Figurefi is a plan of a pair of washers in position to make entanglement thereof probable except as prevented by my improved process of making the same and my improved construction of the finished product;

Figures 6 and '7 are enlarged fragmentary views, taken, respectively, from the planes indicated by the lines 6-6 and '77, Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a combination of Figures 6 and 7 which permits a study of the overlap between portions of the two washers shown in the position of Figure '5, which overlap prevents entangling, this view illustrating the overlap when the axes of the washers are parallel;

Figure 9 is a view of the two washers, as shown in Figure 8, when tilted so that the planes of the helicesat the ends are substantially parallel, this being a position in which washers are most likely to entangle, if not formed with my improved construction;

Figures 10 to 11 are similar to Figures 3 and 4, but show a washer having a greater gap between, and a greater overlapping of, the washer ends;

Figures 12 and 13 are similar to Figures 10 and 11, but show a washer having a much greater gap between, and overlapping of the washer ends;

Figures 14 and 15 are similar to Figures 8 and 9, and show how entangling of washers of the form shown in Figures 12 and 13 is prevented;

Figure 16 is a side view showing a washer which is similar to that of Figures 12 and 13, but which has a relatively greater overlapping of-the washer ends;

Figure 17 is a side view showing a washer which is similar to that shown in Figure 3 but which has positive ends;

Figure 18 is a side view of a washer similar to that shown in Figure 17 but not having the washer ends in overlapping relation;

Figure 19 is a plan view of the washer shown in Figure 18;

Figure 20 is a plan view of a washer similar to that shown in Figure 19 but having the washer ends in vertical planes other than vertical planes passing through the washer axis; and Y Figure 21 is a plan view of a washer similar to that shown in Figure 4 but having the washer 'ends in vertical planes other than vertical planes passing through the washer axis.

. form the separate washers.

Referring to the annexed drawings in which the same parts are indicated by the same respective numbers in the several views, washer stock 1, Figure 1, preferably of keystone cross-section, is coiled upon a mandrel by suitable tools into a helix, the coiling being very close, and under an initial tension which may be produced as illustrated by the plane lines in Figure 1. The plane 19 designates the actual winding plane. 20 designates the plane of the upper normal helical surface in which the stock 1 would lie just previously to being wound, if no axial tension therein were induced. The plane 21 designates that plane which is perpendicular to the axis of the coiled helix and which passes through the place in the upper or outermost surface of the stock where it is bent'or flexed out of the normal helical formation. Since the stock 1 as a wholeis bent or flexed at the place of bending, the lower surface of the stock, or that surface of the stock which adjoins the last formed convolution of the coiled stock, bears a relation to the normal helical formation similar to that of the upper surface of the stock. Therefore, the angle at which the stock 1 is wound is less'than that of the normal helical formation but not substantially less than that of the respective planes perpendicular to the coil axis and passing through the place of bending in the upper and lower surfaces of the stock and hence the stock is wound underinitial tension. In this winding or coiling, and as is well known to those skilled in the art, the keystone cross-section is eliminated and a rectangular cross-section of the coils of the helix is obtained. These coils are cut from the helix one at a time to As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the third washer from the incoming stock 1 is removed after each successive coil is formed. I illustrate three coils 2, 3, and 4, of which the coil 4 will be removed by cutting in the plane 5, to form the separate washer 4 shown in Figures 3 and 4. This cut in the plane 5 is made so as to form the washer 4 with as narrow a gap 8 between the adjacent washer ends as is practicably possible. In the form of device illustrated, the cut 8 is in a radial plane. I

Whenthe washer 4 is cut from the coiled helix along the plane 5, the axial tension is relieved and the adjacent ends of the washer snap slightly inwardly relative to each other so as to overlap slightly in the plane 5. In other words, the prolongation of the bottom helical surface 6 of the washer across the gap 8 would substantially enter, or lie slightly below, the upper helical surface 7. This construction provides a non-entangling washer in a plain pattern or, in other words, with ends of uniform cross section; in fact the whole washer throughout is of uniform cross-section in the form shown in Figures 1 to 16 of the accompanying drawings. To my knowledge, washers which are non-entangling have not here:-

tofore been made in a plain pattern or with their entire end sections of uniform cross-section.

The reasons for the impossibility of entanglement between washers of the described construction are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will now be described in detail.

The most fertile source of entangling in devices of this kind occurs when two washers abut edge to edge with the gaps between the ends of the split segments forming a substantially straight continuous opening. Such a condition is illustrated in Figure 5 in which the washer 4 is shown in a position relative to a second Washer l likely to produce entanglement except for the preventing thereof which is presented by my construction. These relative ppsitions of these two washers are of two outstanding phases, viz., when the axes of the washers 4 and 4 are parallel, such as illustrated in Figure 8, and when the washers are tilted so that the helical surfaces at the ends ,of the washers are substantially parallel, as illustrated in Figure 9. This last-named condition is most likely to induce entanglement.

Referring particularly to Figure 8, it will benoted that the adjacent side faces of the washers 4 and 4' overlap to the extent of the area 9'upon one side of the gaps 8 and 8, and overlap to the extent of the area 10 upon the other side of the gaps 8 and 8. In other words, the close coiling, and the smallness of the gaps 8 and 8, and the substantial prolongation of the helical plane of the bottom face 6 of the washer 4 into the top face v7, and the prolongation of the helical plane of the bottom face 6 of the washer 4 into the top face '7', produce the abutting areas 9 and 10, when the washers 4 and 4 are edge to edge with their axes substantially parallel and the gaps 8 and 8 in registry. If

the washers are tilted, as shown in Figure 9, so that the planes of the helices at the ends are substantially parallel-a condition which reduces the extent of the overlaps 11 and 12, as compared with the overlaps 9 and 10 in Figure 8- the additional overlaps 22 and 23 result which prevent entangling of the washers. A lateral shifting of one of the washers in Figure 9 with relation to the other washer would result in an increase of the extent of one of the areas 22 or 23 and a corresponding decrease in the other of said areas.

My invention is also embodied in the various forms of washers shown in Figures 10 to 16. In each of these forms, the projection of lower surface 6 from the upper washer end lies-below the upper surface 7 at the lower washer end, that is, the vertical end surfaces of the washer overlap each other. These various forms show an increase, in overlap with increase of the width of the cut 8. In other words, if the washer is to have a relatively wide cut -8, a relatively large overlap of the vertical end surfaces is required to prevent entangling of the washer with other similar washers. Figures 10 and 11 show a washer with a cut 8 of moderate width and a moderate overlap of the washer ends, but the cut and overas that shown in Figures 10 and 11, Figures 14 and 15 clearly illustrating how entangling is pre vented by the overlap even with the relatively wide gap shown between the ends, just as theprevention of entangling is shown in Figures 8 and 9. Figure 16shows a washer having a cut 8 of the same width as that shown in Figures 12 to 15, but having a greater overlap; such a washer as this is not as satisfactory as that shown in Figures 12 to 15 since it sacrifices resistance to compression for an excessive overlap.

In washers of the forms shown in Figures 10 to 15, it is essential that suflicient overlap be provided to prevent entangling, that is, in washers having a cut 8 of appreciable width a distinct overlap of the washer end surfaces must be provided. In practice, this necessary overlap is found to be slight; thus, in the washer shown in Figure 12, where the width of the cut 8 is about one third the vertical thickness of the washer ends, an overlap of one third to one half of the cut width is ample to prevent entangling.

My invention is further embodied in washers of the forms shown in Figures 17 to 20, in which the ends of the washer are made positive. In other words, the usual nut-engaging end 17, and preferably both the nut-engaging end 1'7 and the work-engaging end 18, are out-turned or distorted outwardly so as to form nibs providing terminal edges which positively engage the nut and the work and prevent rotation of the washer. In the form of washer shown in Figures 18 and 19, the adjacent inner edges of the two ends of the washer remain unchanged from the form shown in Figures 1 to 9 except that the terminal portion of the lower face 16 projected across the gap 8a lies somewhat above the terminal portion of the upper face 15 inasmuch as the additional hindrance to entanglement provided by the positive nibs 17 and 18 renders unnecessary quite such close coiling or the same amount of initial tension, as is required of the washers shown in Figures 1 to 9 which have plain unaltered ends. In the form of washer shown in Figure 17, the cut 8 is shown so wide'that overlapping of the positive ends is required to prevent entangling. In the form shown in Figures 18 and 19, prolongation of surface 16 from a point back of the bend for the positive end is substantially in alinement with or is very slightly below or very slowly above the surface 15 back of the point where it is bent for making the positive end.

In the positive-end type of washer shown in Figure 20 the out line is in a vertical plane but not in a radial plane. Such angular out line presents an additional bar to entangling if, when two Washers lie edge to edge, the cut lines intersect at an angle. However, if one of such adjacent washers is reversed facefor face, the cut line angularity is cancelled andthe two gaps 8a lie in substantially a straight line. Such a condi tion increases the probability of entanglement in washers not made by my improved process and of my improved construction. As is also true of all the forms of washer shown in Figures 1 to 19, it will be seen that the washer in Figure 20 is formed of a split ring segment of substantially but not exceeding 360 in any cylindrical surface about the axis of the segment and passing through the cut 8. In the claims these terms are used in a practical sense, that is, to mean substantially 360 or somewhat less than 360, any excess over 360 being in fact very slight and inappreciable from a practical standpoint for the attainment of applicants purposes.

My invention also contemplates the making of washers with the cut line in a vertical plane other than a radial plane but otherwise similar to the form without positive ends shown in Figures 1 to 16. Such a Washer is illustrated in Figure 21,

In the various forms of washer embodying my invention, it is apparent that the gap between the Washer ends is sufficiently small so that a plurality of washers of any one form will not interlink in handling and that the lower helical surface near one end of the washer, if extended across the gap, lies substantially in or slightly below the upper helical surface near the other end of the washer. A feature of my invention is the simplicity of the structure whereby I produce a non-entangling spring lock washer, attention being directed to the ends of substantially uniform cross-section and the substantially helical formation of the washer. Another feature common to all forms of my washer is that it may be economically made by closely coiling stock, placing it under tension in an axial direction toward the previously formed coiled segments, and cutting the segments into single convolutions such that in the washer as made there is no space between the upper helical surface near one washer end and the other end of the washer if extended in its substantially helical formation across the gap between the washer ends. Considered from a somewhat different point of view, the essential features of my invention, as exemplified in the various forms of my washer, appear in a split ring washer with a pitch substantially equal to the vertical thickness of the washer ends and with the gap between'the washer ends sufiiciently small so that a plurality of such washers will not interlink in handling, the ring or segment being substantially 360, or somewhat less than 360, and the washer end surfaces being preferably substantially parallel. The pitch is considered as the vertical distance between similarly located points at the end surfaces of a single convolution.

It is noted that throughout the description and claims the term vertical is used in the sense of axial or parallel to the axis of the washer. It is further noted that, as a matter of convenience to define structural limits, in the claims the relationship of the washer ends is definedas such as is obtainable by close coiling and limited pretensioning of the washer stock at the time of coiling; this is a definition of the structural relationship between the washer ends and not a limitation to the process of effecting such relationship. Also, it is pointed out that in the claims the term substantially helical, as applied to the segment or body of the washer, is intended to include any segment of generally helical formation, since the essence of the invention is concerned with the form and relationship of the washer ends, from which it follows that the segment portion remote from the washer ends may be distorted or non-uniform provided that the washer ends are related to each other in the manner defined in the claims.

What I claimis:

1. A non-entangling washer comprising a substantially helical segment of substantially but not exceeding 360 in any cylindrical surface about the axis of the washer and passing through the 'ends of the washer, the adjacent substantially helical surfaces being so related that the extension of the substantially helical surface near one end of the washer across the gap between the ends thereof would be disposed with respect to the substantially helical surface near the other end of the washer in such a manner as is obtainable by. close coiling of the washer stock in helical formation and by such pretensioning as is effected by bending the washer stock out of the helical formation toward but not substantially beyond the respective planes perpendicular to the washer axis and passing through the place of bending in the upper and lower surfaces of the washer stock.

2. A non-entanglingwasher comprising a substantially helical segment of subs antially but not exceeding 360 in any cylindrical surface about the axis of the washer and passing through the ends of the washer, the adjacent substantially helical surfaces being so related that the extension of the substantially helical surface at one end of the washer across-the gap between the ends thereof would be disposed with respect to the substantially helical surface at the other end of the washer in such a manner-as is obtainable by close coiling of the washer stock in helical formation and by such pretensioning as is effected by bending the washer stock out of the helical formation toward but not substantially beyond the respective planes perpendicular to the washer axis and passing through the place of bending in the upper and lower surfaces of the washer stock.

3. A washer in accordance with claim 1 in which the end surfaces of the washer are substantially parallel.

4. A washer in accordance with claim 1 in which the end surfaces of the washer lie in substantially vertical planes.

5. A washer in accordance with claim. 1 in which the end surfaces of the washer lie in substantially radial planes.

6. A washer in accordance with claim 1 in which a portion of an end of the washer is distorted, said portion being relatively remote in an axial direction from the other end of the washer.

7. A washer in accordance with claim 1 in which an end of the washer has a positive nib.

8. A washer in accordance with claim 1 in which each end of the Washer has a positive nib extending axially away from the other end of the washer.

9. A non-entangling washer comprising a split ring segment of substantially but not exceeding 360 in any cylindrical surface about the axis of the washer and passing through the ends of the washer, said ends being axially displaced relative to each other, the vertical thickness of the washer ends being the same, the washer having a pitch substantially equal to the vertical thickness of the washer ends, and the lower surface of the upper washer'end being so related to the upper surface of the lower washer end that the extension of one of said surfaces across the gap between the washer ends would be disposed with respect to the other of said surfaces in such a manner as is obtainable by close coiling of washer stock in helical formation and by such pretensioning as is effected by bending the washer stock out of the helical formation toward but not substantially beyond the respective planes perpendicular to the washer axis and passing through the place of bending in the upper and lower surfaces of the washer stock. v

10. A washer according to claim 1 in which said extension of the substantially helical surface near one end of the washer would contact with the adjacent substantially helical surface near the other end of the washer.

11. A washer according to claim 1 in which said rowers extensionof the substantially helical surface near one end of the washer would contact with the. adjacent substantially helical surface near the other end of the washer and in which an end of the washer is distorted in an axial direction somewhat away from the other end of the washer to form a positive nib.

12. A washer according to claim 2 in which said extension of the substantially helical surface at one end of the washer would contact with the adjacent substantially helical surface at the other end of the washer.

13. A washer in accordance with claim 1 in helical surface near the lower end of the washer and in which an end of the washer has a positive nib.

15. A washer in accordance with claim 1 in which the extension of the lower substantially helical surface near the upper end of the washer would lie somewhat above the upper substantially helical surface near the lower end of the washer and in which each end of the washer has a positive nib extending axially somewhat away from the other end of the washer.

16. A washer according to claim 2 in which the extension of the lower substantially helical surface at the upper end of the washer would lie somewhat above the upper substantially helical surface at the lower end of the washer.

17. A washer in accordance with claim 1-in which the extension of the lower substantially helical surface near the upper end of the washer would lie somewhat below the upper substantially helical surface near the lower end of the washer.

18. A washer in accordance with claim 2 in which the extension of the lower substantially helical surface at the upper end of the washer would lie somewhat below the upper substantially helical surface at the lower end of the washer.

19. A washer in accordance with claim 1 in which the extension of the lower substantially helical surface near the upper end of the washer would lie somewhat below the upper substantially helical surface near the lower end of the washer and in which an end of the washer has a positive nib extending axially somewhat away from the other end of the washer.

EUGENE D. CO. 

